Blog Archives

Meredith Shaw, Toronto born, is both a singer songwriter and a radio personality. The messenger and the message, cool. She has a weekend show on 97.3 in Toronto, in which she interviews talent etc. She has 1 album out, (2011’s Place Called Happy) which was produced by Big Sugar’s Gordie Johnson and 1 EP (also 2011, Trouble) which was produced by Joel Plaskett. This tune, “Call it a Night” showcases her personality and style and is done live as well. Great song.

Song Of The Day didn’t have to go far for this one. Tegan and Sara formed right here in Calgary back in 1995 and have had major success with their indie style music. This song, “I Was a Fool” is from their latest album “Heartthrob”, which was released earlier this year. I have chosen a live performance for you to enjoy. An absolutely terrific tune.

Singer, songwriter, fiddler, all the above! Sara Watkins has a lengthy career for someone so young. Her first band in 1989 was bluegrass group, Nickel Creek, in which she played the fiddle. She was 8 years old. The band has released 5 albums before taking a pause in 2009. Sara has been doing solo projects since the hiatus began. This song, “When It Pleases You”, was released in 2012 as a single and his from her second album, “Sun, Midnight Sun”.

Song of the day presents something different, African jazz by Richard Bona. Another catch off CKUA here in Alberta (CKUA is a radio station). His real name is Bona Pinder Yayumayalolo and he hails from Minta, Cameroon. He emigrated to Germany at the age of 22 and now lives in France. When I hear this tune I hear many influences, including Paul Simon and Stevie Wonder. Good solid song.

Today’s tune is one I heard on another of my favourite in-car stations on the drive to work, CKUA. The song, “Better Than” is from a 2007 album by the John Butler Trio. The album is called “Grand National”. The band, oddly enough, was formed in Australia in 1999 by, wait for it, John Butler. The play a roots style, heavy on the jamming. This tune had me tapping the steering wheel, so I had to share it. They have released 5 studio albums and 3 live albums and are perennial nominees for the ARIA and APRA awards in Australia. Hit the links for more info.

This could qualify as an Interesting Cover. Which reminds me, I should post a new one of those. Time is our enemy at times isn’t it. Today’s offering, presented for your approval, is a live version of a cover by Luke Doucet of a classic Cure tune, “The Lovecats“. Great song, and a great version. Luke Doucet is another of those Canadian talents that we kind of keep as a secret from the rest of the world. He is everywhere on Canadian radio, teaming up with Danny Michel, or playing with Whitehorse (a duo with Melissa McLelland) or playing on his own. Enjoy!

Guster makes another appearance on SOTD with a song off their 2010 album, “Easy Wonderful” titled “Architects and Engineers. These guys are masters of creating hook filled power pop that is quite infectious. In many ways they remind me of Wilco or Dave Matthews. At any rate, a nice tune for a cold blizzard day in Calgary.

The Real Canadian Music Blog: The Real Canadian Music Blog

Good evening folks. This is the answer to the most asked question of the week, what is the number 1 song in Alberta, Canada this week. The answer, according to CKUA radio, available around the world at CKUA.com is ….Catfish Blues, a catchy number by BMW: Belzner, McLean, Williams. Enjoy. If you like, lots more […]

I always enjoy promoting Canadian talent, especially if they are from Calgary. Kate came to my attention in January of 2019 and I am just getting around to introducing you to her now. A bit of a brain break. Kate Stevens is singer songwriter in the story teller vein. She has a very nice voice, […]

Do you know this song? Or this one? Both were written by Allee Willis, who passed away on December 24th of heart failure. A prolific writer, she was nominated for a Tony for A Color Purple soundtrack and won a Grammy for the same as well as several other nominations and wins at […]